Through the Student Lens – Jackson Walsh ’25
Please tell us a little about yourself?
I am from Cumberland, R.I., and I’m a senior relief pitcher on Wheaton’s baseball team. I’ve been playing baseball since around the age of five. I will be one of the first to graduate with a degree in digital media and communications. When not playing baseball, I broadcast Wheaton fall and winter athletic events. I’m looking to pursue a career in play-by-play broadcasting, preferably in baseball or basketball.
What are your hometown teams? Who is your favorite player or who was your favorite player growing up?
I root for all of the Boston sports teams and Providence College basketball. My favorite player growing up was Bryce Cotton from Providence.
What do you love about athletics/team sports at Wheaton?
All of the athletic teams at Wheaton have formed a very tight-knit community since I have been here. Like myself a lot of student-athletes who are out of season get to work one another’s games and you usually see a large portion of athletes at games as fans. It is an “everybody knows everybody” type of community, which is perfect for Wheaton.
Tell us about your experience as a student broadcaster. How did you get involved? What sports do you broadcast and what’s your favorite one to broadcast?
I knew coming into college I wanted to get involved with the athletics department, preferably as a broadcaster. I wasn’t sure how that would look coming in as a student-athlete. Thankfully our fantastic sports information director, Alan Wickstrom, was in his first year as well and he was ecstatic to find out I wanted to broadcast because he was looking for broadcasters. Within a week I did a Wheaton field hockey game. Since then I have also done soccer, basketball, and track and field, and my favorites—basketball and swimming and diving.
How do you balance your commitment as a student and an athlete?
It helps to map out your work… to figure out when you will get certain things like work outs and homework done around games and practices. It is important to get your work done ahead of time and not wait until the last minute. Professors are also very flexible and willing to help.
How has your athletics informed your academics and how has your academics informed your athletics?
The biggest thing I can take from the field to the classroom and vice versa is teamwork. For example on the field you have the responsibility to play your hardest for one another in hopes of winning a game while respecting and listening to your coaches. In the classroom the same goes for your professors and those around you, especially if you’re working in a group.
Beyond athletics, in what other recreational activities, clubs or organizations do you participate?
I enjoy golf and basketball when I am out of baseball season.
If you could pick one other Wheaton sport to compete in, what would that be?
Basketball, I played it until my senior year of high school.
What is your favorite Wheaton athletics moment either on or off the field?
Winning the 2023 NEWMAC championship at home vs. Babson. We had to beat them twice in one day and we did.
What are your plans or what do you hope to accomplish after graduating in May?
I am set to be the lead broadcaster this summer for the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. I played for the Mainers last summer and am excited to return this summer as a broadcaster. After that I hope to find a full-time job broadcasting in either basketball or baseball.